Automatic return gate



May 10, 1927.

- E. A. DOHMANN AUTOMATIC RETURN GATE Filed July 13, 1925 Fly! INVENTOR ,LKZI. flohmzmn.

Y 5 0) v M 7/ ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES EDWARD A. IDOHMANN, OF WEESATCHE, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC RETURN GATE.

Application filed July 13, 1925 Serial No. 43,095.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in self-closing gates, particularly to that type of gate that is caused to open by impact or pressure.

I The principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby a gate or other passage closure will be automatically returned to a normal closed position.

Another object is the provision of means for causing a gate, normally retained in closed position to open by contact pressure, permitting passage therethrough of a movmg object.

These and other objects will be disclosed in the following specification and clearly shown by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a wire fence having an opening normally closed by a gate made in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, showing the gate in partially open position, permitting the passage of a train of cars.

Figure 3 is an elevational view, slightly enlarged, showing details of the gate elements. a

Figure 4 is a perspective detail of the gate closing cam element.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numerals 10 and 11 represent a wire fence having anchor posts 12' and 13 provided with extended bases 14 and 15.

A gate 16, of framed construction, is comprised of end elements 17 and 18, top and bottom rails 19 and 20, and slats 21. Hingedly connectin the gate 16 and the anchor post 12 are t e upper hinge elements 22 and 23, the element 22 bein secured to post 12 by suitable means, am the lower hinge element 23 being secured to the gate end 17. A bolt 24 passes through the hinge elements 22 and 23, the bolt being fixed within the hinge element 22 and free within the element 23, thus permittingthe gate to rotate about the bolt.

The lower hinge comprises a socket 25 secured in the post base 14, an angular member 26 adapted to freely rotate within the socket 25, the horizontal portion being rigidly secured to the lower portion of the gate frame 17.

A roller 27, rotatably secured upon the hinge element 26 in a manner and position adapted to make contact with a U shaped cam, best shown in Figure 4, the ends 28 being secured to the post 12, the inclined cam portion. 29, proving a simple and eflicient means for compelling the gate to return to normal closed position when the pressure applied to the gate has been released.

A double linger spring controlled device 30, is employed to initially assist in the returning of the gate to closed osition and to prevent partial opening by wind pressure.

A roller 31, rotatably mounted on a yoke 32 is attached to the lower outer end position of the gate rail 20, and is in rolling contact with the extended portion of the post 13 as the gate approaches the closed position, thus preventing sagging by taking the weight of the gate off the hinge members.

Contact or bumper rolls 33 and 34, extending outwardly from both sides of the gate are rotatably held within forked brackets 35 and 36 which are rigidly secured to the gate rails 21 as shown in Figure 3. These rolls being placed at any desired point with respect to the length of the gate.

Referring to Figure 2, the drawing represents a gate made in accordance with the invention, partially open and permitting the passage of a train of railway cars 37, 38 and 39 moving along tracks 40, the contact or bumper rolls being shown in contact with the sides ofa car.

As shown by the description and drawings, it will be seen that as the last car of the train passes beyond the point of contact with the rolls 34, the gate will immediately start to close, it being evident that when the gate is in open position, the roll 27 is at the highest point of the cam, and the weight of the gate acting upon the roll 34 causes the roll to descend the inclined face of the cam which movement automatically causes the gate to swing into the closed position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A swinging gate adapted to swing in either direction, pivotal supports at one end of said gate, a post on which said pivotal supports are secured, a roller carried at the bottom of said gate to move concentric with the pivots, a metal strip secured at its ends on opposite sides of said post, said strip having a concave upper edge to form a track-Way for said roller, and a pair of rollers disposed oppositely on each side of said gate on the end opposite the pivots, the last named rollers extending outwardly beyond the gate structure.

In Witness whereof: I have affixed my signature. A

EDWARD A. DOHMANN. 

